How the Denver Broncos and the 'play-dough' quarterback could halt that Kansas City Chiefs' rule.
Former Buffalo Bills assistant coach Phoebe Schecter is a football expert and represents Great Britain's national squad.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage features text commentary for the weekend matchups via multiple platforms, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash in London (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, radio commentary can be heard through select stations for another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week of the football calendar , after last week's discussion about two top teams being possible championship contenders, each surrendered their unbeaten records.
Notable in those games were the amount of penalties both committed. The Eagles did so at crucial times so they kind of defeated themselves having led by two touchdowns entering the fourth period versus Denver, who play overseas this Sunday.
But it proved positive to observe that Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to have the shortfall and then direct three scoring drives on three possessions during the final period, to win the game 21-17.
Denver have the top defender with cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank first in goal-line defense, whereas the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, yet Denver won that battle.
They had the Eagles' number in terms of simulated pressure. They weren't always sending more than four pass rushers instead they might plug two LBs in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and send a nickel from the outside.
Early on of the season, we said on a program how Denver might emerge as this season's dark horses. They finished the previous year well then did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
New TE Evan Engram has excelled significantly while recent running back their rusher is a player the team trusts. He now ranks fifth league-wide for rushing yards (over 400) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (4).
It's impressive how head coach the Broncos' leader has "RUSH!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
That shows that the Broncos represent a squad that wants to prioritize the run, since you can achieve much off the back of that. It slows down the pass rush while maintains in favourable situations.
This has helped quarterback the young passer, who came into the league as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, throwing 29 touchdown passes – second only to a star QB in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have the arm strength to pass anywhere, but they lack the mobility as Nix. He boasts incredible arm talent, which is different, plus he is highly agile.
His assets are his mobility, the capacity to throw on the run, and finding varied release points to deliver throws as he moves outside protection, the bootlegs. He is able to deliver precision throws across the middle or over the corner.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he displays great composure under pressure and is not really fazed by extra rushers. He tries to evade a sack whenever possible and can throw in tight spots. He possesses sharp intelligence and is very decisive.
When you constantly run the ball it eats up time and makes the defence to be in play extended periods, and when you've got a mobile QB the defense has to defend the field vertically side to side. It can be exhausting.
Nix has pushed back with the coach during games sometimes and it seems Payton likes that fire, that he's such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for him to coach a young quarterback that is kind of like play-dough. He can truly build something up the way he wants to build it. I believe it's a unique opportunity for him.
The head coach has won a Super Bowl and now passed a legend for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He's seen it all. I think the achievements Denver are experiencing on offence is largely down to his guidance, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with the QB helps shape him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person in your ear, to help you through some of the tougher situations and build self-belief.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet are they good enough to face an elite team at full strength? Since that was not championship-level play from Philadelphia in their last game.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are elite. They're performing better than most, which is a good place to hold their division. All they need is to continue this trajectory.
They're really good at embracing their strength, which is running the ball, and that's precisely what they must do against the Jets in London. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
The Jets have surrendered 140 yards on the ground per game (sixth worst), five ground scores so far (in the bottom ten), and they are the only team yet to win any game.
Ever since the league started recording takeaways decades ago, the Jets are the inaugural squad to go without a single takeaway in five outings, this is surprising when you think that the head coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB stated Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
After this Sunday's game, Denver have a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans and the Raiders before the Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 and the Broncos are even with the Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge at leading the West.
This hinges upon what version Kansas City shows up they face because Denver {beat|def
